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“Drain covers mark the entrances to underground tunnels and shafts that shift utilities around the urban environment. While most are plain and functional, many cities add a touch of local flair to brighten up the streets beneath our feet”

…”Canada’s outlook seen as bleakest since recession, amid oil collapse, global uncertainty”…”Government interest policies have created a mess that will only get worse when they start to rise again”…”Toronto/Vancouver house prices could plunge 30% says economist who predicted crash that never happened”…

Doesn’t all that sing storm clouds as the election writ dissolving the Canadian parliament will be dropped this weekend and Canadians will go to the polls on October 19th after the longest campaign period in Canadian election history!?!…

Meanwhile, the tv pundits seem to be saying ‘enjoy your summer folks’ things are going to get nasty…

One doesn’t have to look very far into the headlines or when channel surfing around news channels to see & hear alot of grim, alarming and appalling.

Summer can be the time to take a break from some of it!

Bury your head into some good books by a lakeside…

Set out on an adventure to exotic or simply undiscovered places…

Sail, swim, cycle.

Learn, lead, live out a dream.

Summer wandering into comforting, delightful & pleasing!

Will there be humming & hilarity in your upcoming long weekend?!!!…

Here’s hoping you can join ‘the chorus’ that will be singing “we have joy we have fun, we have seasons in the sun!…”

It seems Vancouver’s food truck industry ain’t the ‘golden ticket‘ to success many, on the surface, thought it would be. Extra costs, location issues, need for commissary kitchens, all sighted as reasons that a catering business on the side to festival & other events over and above the day-to-day location will be the make or break….

How times change! Seems the fanfare over Windows operating system new releases has all but disappeared!
In this year of elections, one could quip ….” & just what is your platform?!”…

Vancouver’s annual summer fireworks festival, the ‘Honda celebration of Light’ kicks off night #2 tonight!
Citizens & tourists alike will be mesmerized by Brazilian flare with their show called ‘Group Vison’!

Will there be fireworks in your Wednesday night?!?!?!….

As it will soon be out with July & in with August, cheers to a fine day that sings—-bewitched, bothered & be-dazzled !!!

…”British Columbia drought puts stress on businesses dependent on water”…”Demolition derby; Vancouver’s old houses are disappearing fast”…”CBC needs to rethink its purpose, not just its programs”…

So go some of the headlines for a British Columbia Tuesday…

Landscapers & pressure-washers, are apparently the first to feel the pinch from Metro Vancouver’s water restrictions.

Are you doing anything to curtail your water consumption?…

I must confess that we Canadians just kinda sorta maybe take our abundance of water for granted without giving it alot of thought. The current situation is a bit of a wake up call for many…

With all the talk about climate change and conserving energy, curbing weight gain,eating healthy, not being so sedentary in our day-to-day routines, it can be a bit disconcerting to hear “it’s summertime, time for rest & relaxation, please be seated!”…

The hustle & bustle of life screams ‘take a stand’, ‘activate’, ‘don’t sit on your laurels’, be ‘on the go’ !!…

Indeed, a new one to me, it seems that every July 27th in Finland, tradition dictates that “the last person in the house (also dubbed as the “laziest”) to wake up is woken up using water, either by being thrown into a lake or the sea, or by having water thrown on them. Other traditions include shaving the left side of the “laziest” man’s chest. Based on the story of the Saints of Ephesus who slept in a cave for some 200 years during the Middle Ages whilst hiding from persecution by Decius, the Roman Emperor at the time,”they say…

All this apparently takes place in the city of Naantall, where a Finnish celebrity is chosen every year to be thrown in the sea from the city’s port at 7 a.m.

The identity of the sleeper is kept secret until the event.

People who are chosen have usually done something to the benefit of the city.

Every city mayor has thus far been thrown to the sea at least once, but other sleepers have included the country’s president, along with many writers, artists and politicians.

The celebrations continue into the evening and include activities for folks of all ages!..

In winter I get up at night
And dress by yellow candle-light.
In summer, quite the other way,
I have to go to bed by day.

I have to go to bed and see
The birds still hopping on the tree,
Or hear the grown-up people’s feet
Still going past me in the street.

And does it not seem hard to you,
When all the sky is clear and blue,
And I should like so much to play,
To have to go to bed by day? – Robert Louis Stevenson

…”Celebrity blowhard and ‘breath of fresh air': Understanding the appeal of Donald Trump”…”The oil crash could be the worst in more than 45 years-and that puts us in uncharted territory”…”Can this man create a more potent jalapeno?”…”Beet ice cream, red pepper sorbet: Yes vegetables are now the stars of your favourite frozen treat”…”Amazon stock surge makes CEO $ 7 billion richer in 45 minutes”…

Donald Trump…..let’s not even go there…yikes!

As for oil prices, something about demand rising, low stock prices & spending on new oil falling all doesn’t quite add up as the realities of OPEC and all time high oil supplies is the “spoiler.”

It seems someone’s on the hunt for a hotter jalapeno…

It seems vegetables & fruit have joined in the battle of the stars…

It seems it’s a jungle out there with all things–Amazon…

TGIF smiles—Gasp-Not & wherever you may be--take in some breathtaking fine scenery!!!

As the price of gold fell for its 10th consecutive day, the loonie continues to slide too.

Our Canadian economy is weakening along with commodity prices, consumer confidence, and amid speculation that interest rates are about to rise in the United States.

Uncertain times—throw in an election or two or three and behind-the-scenes European countries’ posturing and a roller-coaster ride may just be about to activate.

Vancouver’s prized convention centre, often home to ‘meeting-of-the-minds’ gatherings of folks from all over the world on topics conventional & unconventional, will go full circle today with the launch of the Circle Craft and Craft Council of BC annual Summer Craft Market. Check out Jack Poole Plaza today through Sunday to see the fine craftsmanship of artisans extraordinaire!

As the old saying goes–crafts & summer markets quip–great savings for those who flea (or should that be flee?…)

Tourists and locals alike, never skip a beat when it comes to finding a bargain or drumming up enthusiasm for a fine adventure amid the vast variety of landscape that is British Columbia!

Be it, in and around Vancouver, on the North Shore mountains or the Gulf Islands, or even venturing further into the Cariboo or the Okanagan & the Kootenays, there is much that can put a fine rhythm to a vacation or exploration day!

what will be the percussion in your today?!…

Wherever you may be & whatever’s your Thursday ‘song’— let the cadence swing!!!

…”After a brief reprieve, British Columbia’s wildfire season has flared up again”…”Canadian tourism gets a boost from sinking loonie”…

Lightning strikes to blame, they say, as conditions around the province and especially in the Okanagan, remain precarious.

Take care. Caution. Beware. Be aware. Be sensible.

They’re saying Canadian tourism is stronger because of the weaker dollar. It’s good news, they say, but only for a time, as it means Canada’s in recessionary mode and the favour
of discretionary spending will be only a temporary one.

Cheers to inbound, outbound & rebound!!!

Is it just me. or do we all have friends who when they enter a room, they just light it up!?!

You know…the type of person that just bubbles over with enthusiasm and a zest for life!

Several of my friends are a blessing like that and I love the it that their ‘persona’ has an element of contagion.
It’s always good to see them and puts a perspective on a day that’s energizing!

As Metro Vancouver reservoirs including the Capilano are at all time lows for this time of year, despite pleas for mindfulness, consumption levels are showing little sign of reduction making it necessary for what officials call a “Stage 3 Restriction”.

Apparently commercial car wash facilities can remain open, as they use recycled water.

Meanwhile ‘Gulf Islanders’ are now paying to have water trucked in as wells and creeks are bottoming out on Gabriola & Bowen islands.

Would you adjust your shower from usual to quick?!…VanDusen Garden has hit the panic button as they scramble to keep many treasured plants alive…

Area forecasts are predicting cooler temperatures but still little chance for rain in the next while…

As forest fires continue in the Okanagan, winemakers are on alert about smoke as the grape harvest nears with some varieties ripening at least three weeks ahead of schedule.

Apparently, it’s the red grapes that are more vulnerable to negative effects from smoke that can cause a metallic flavour or necessitate, for some vintners, “a process of ‘stripping down smoke contamination’ that takes away other desirable flavours and richness with it.”

Salut to may only the gouda be smoked, & BC wines remain their finest!…

Hey!—speaking about wine & cheese & aging…..when’s the last time you had a lingering look at yourself in the mirror??!!!…

“Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest one of all?”….

Scary thought!….at least for me, such lingering can be frightful as the realities of time marching on are reflectively so startling!!

Now, how to tie all of this up into a profound thought for the day???!!!….

Limited banking returns to Greece today while the stock market remains closed until further notice and a VAT tax on food & public transportation jumps from 13 to 23%.

Cheers to austerity,—may it bring, in the long run, future prosperity!…

It seems, faster than they become available, the going rate developers and home builders on Vancouver’s west side are willing to pay for the standard 33 foot lot is $ 2 million and before you can say ‘what a fine neighbourhood’ the bulldozer rolls in for demolition.

Cheers to “astonishingly wasteful”, “the opposite of sustainable”, “old houses like an old wedding band to be melted down for its gold.” Ugh Ugh Ugh

Nothing like a heatwave, patio. & barbecue time to shout– mix it up with some fine summer salads!

Life & summer eats can be a picnic!

Cheers to a fine summer Monday that sings—enjoy some corn with your Cobb !